ACX
The Bloomer's Paradox
Scott examines a paradox where bloomers and anti-doomers warn against apocalyptic thinking while treating doomerism itself as an unprecedented existential crisis requiring drastic action.
19 min read 2,899 words
A thread through the archive
censorship
Essays tagged “censorship”. Follow an idea across the archive.
Essays on censorship
14 essaysACX
Dictator Book Club: Putin
Scott reviews a biography of Vladimir Putin, tracing his rise to power and methods of maintaining control in Russia.
37 min read 5,619 words
ACX
Sorry, I Still Think I Am Right About The Media Very Rarely Lying
Scott Alexander argues that even seemingly extreme media misinformation usually involves misleading presentation of true facts rather than outright fabrication, examining several reader-provided counterexamples.
32 min read 4,925 words
ACX
The Media Very Rarely Lies
Scott Alexander argues that media rarely lies outright but often misleads through lack of context, making censorship of 'misinformation' problematic.
12 min read 1,749 words
ACX
Moderation Is Different From Censorship
Scott Alexander distinguishes between moderation and censorship in social media, proposing opt-in settings for banned content as a solution to balance user preferences and free speech.
7 min read 970 words
ACX
Highlights From The Comments On Xi Jinping
Scott Alexander compiles and summarizes reader comments on his article about Xi Jinping, covering various aspects of Xi's rule and Chinese politics.
27 min read 4,185 words
ACX
Dictator Book Club: Xi Jinping
Scott reviews a book on Xi Jinping's rule, exploring China's government structure and Xi's rise to power, concluding that China's system failed to prevent authoritarianism.
42 min read 6,466 words
SSC
Social Censorship: The First Offender Model
Scott Alexander explores how minority views can be silenced through social censorship, using a 'first offender model' to explain the maintenance of taboos despite significant private support.
8 min read 1,160 words
SSC
RIP Culture War Thread
Scott Alexander explains why the controversial Culture War thread was removed from r/slatestarcodex due to harassment, and discusses the challenges of hosting spaces for difficult conversations online.
40 min read 6,096 words
SSC
Can Things Be Both Popular And Silenced?
Scott Alexander argues that the Intellectual Dark Web can be both popular and silenced, explaining various mechanisms of social censorship and how they apply to controversial thinkers.
42 min read 6,450 words
SSC
Kolmogorov Complicity And The Parable Of Lightning
Scott Alexander examines the concept of 'Kolmogorov complicity' and its implications for scientific inquiry under oppressive orthodoxies, using historical and hypothetical examples.
24 min read 3,652 words
SSC
Freedom On The Centralized Web
Scott Alexander examines the challenges to free speech posed by centralized internet platforms and the difficulties in creating viable alternatives.
23 min read 3,414 words
SSC
Links 12/14: Come Ye To Bethlinkhem
A links roundup covering topics from ISIS dating sites to space exploration, scientific studies, and cultural observations, featuring Scott's commentary and analysis on each item.
13 min read 2,012 words
SSC
The Wonderful Thing About Triggers
Scott Alexander defends trigger warnings as tools for informed choice, not censorship, and criticizes arguments against them, especially those based on non-consensual exposure therapy.
15 min read 2,216 words